Police ‘thank heavens’ shooting wasn’t fatal
Two men charged after incident in Hamilton; injured officer to have surgery
Police bosses are “relieved” an officer shot during a routine traffic stop wasn’t killed. The officer was shot just before midnight in Hamilton on Friday. He underwent surgery yesterday for his injuries.
Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers confirmed the officer was in a stable condition in Waikato Hospital. He suffered injuries to his arm and shoulder.
Chambers said the officer and his family were relieved the outcome had not been more serious, adding: “Thank heavens we aren’t dealing with a fatality”.
“Obviously, it was a frightening situation for any police colleague to find themselves in a situation such as this,” he said.
“The necessary support is being wrapped around our colleague. The Commissioner of Police has been in touch and our support services are looking after our colleague and others in our organisation.
“I would like to acknowledge the magnificent work of police staff through the night to efficiently and effectively resolve the situation.
“The assistance [the Ngaruawahia community] have provided us has been significant to us.”
The situation unfolded before midnight on Friday when a police officer pulled over a vehicle in Hamilton.
Chambers alleged that a passenger in the car got out of the vehicle and fired gunshots, which hit the officer in the shoulder.
He said the person “who shot our colleague” then left the scene in the police car. It was found about 2.20am.
Police later arrested a 27-year-old man, who they believe was the driver of the vehicle stopped by them.
About 8.30am yesterday another man, 23, was located in the Waikato.
He has been charged with aggravated wounding, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
He is expected to appear in the Hamilton District Court tomorrow.
A 27-year-old man appeared in the Hamilton District Court on an unrelated matter yesterday.
Police said further charges were likely.
“The investigation will be ongoing,” Chambers said.
He said any case where a firearm was used against anyone was “totally unacceptable”.
“Here is a situation where a police colleague was working hard to keep their community safe. And as consequence of the work they were doing, suffered a serious injury.”
Chambers said the officer would be in hospital for several days, but was expected to make a full recovery.
He said the consequences could have been “much more serious”.
He also confirmed the officer was solo at the time of the incident.
Police earlier confirmed the Armed Offenders Squad and Eagle helicopter were deployed to assist with locating the alleged offenders.
The shooting comes just a few weeks after the first anniversary of
Constable Matthew Hunt’s death.
The 28-year-old officer was shot dead in West Auckland on June 19. He was the 33rd police officer killed in the line of duty in New Zealand.
Police Association president Chris Cahill said another officer getting shot
was concerning and his thoughts were with the officer and his family.
“Again it just highlights the risks out there that all police officers face
and the fact that vehicle stops are one of the most dangerous things officers do.”
He said this event could have had tragic results, and it showed there were far too many offenders out there with firearms willing to use them against police.
Police officers attending jobs alone was a problem that needed to be addressed, Cahill said.
“Single crew in vehicles is relatively common and in rural policing to some degree it is required, but we would argue in metropolitan centres there is no need for that any more.”
National’s police spokesman Simeon Brown agreed it was “incredibly concerning”, saying beyond the rising general violence there was also more anti-police rhetoric imported from overseas.
“The demonisation of the police — even at times by elected officials — contributes to more hostility on the streets and further aggression towards officers,” Brown said.
He said tougher penalties were urgently needed.
“However, the Government does not agree. Labour voted down National’s member’s bill earlier this year which would have imposed harsher penalties.”
Police Minister Poto Williams said police would conduct a thorough investigation.
“We want to make sure that everything is put in place to ensure that when police are on duty everything is as safe as it can be.”
Cabinet was working on a gun register to stop weapons getting into the wrong hands, Williams said.
“We will make decisions on that as soon as we can.”
Vehicle stops are one of the most dangerous things officers do. Police Association President Chris Cahill